Release: Apostleship of the Sea: Seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) is assisting fishermen in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
It has emerged that fishermen and coastal communities make up more than half of the casualties in the Visayas, one of the main areas ravaged by the storm.
This startling statistic provided by Pamalakaya, a national fishers’ group in the Philippines, comes as World Fisheries Day is celebrated tomorrow (Thursday, November 21).
Father Bruno Ciceri of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, which coordinates the activities of AoS worldwide, said AoS Manila is providing free accommodation to returning seafarers who need somewhere to stay while they trace their families.
“The AoS centre in Cebu has also been turned into a logistics hub for aid material and people involved in the relief operation.”
It is estimated that as many as 160,000 Filipino seafarers are directly affected by the typhoon.
AoS Dublin port chaplain Rose Kearney said volunteers were collecting and packing baby clothing to give to seafarers onboard their ships.
“While some may not have children they might like to donate the items to families they know.”
AoS Barcelona port chaplain Deacon Ricardo Rodriguez-Marto said he and his colleagues had distributed a message and a prayer among Filipino seafarers.
Across the globe AoS’ port chaplains have come out in full force to support Filipino seafarers and fishing communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
The Pontifical Council is putting together plans to support those affected by the storm in the long term.
Please visit this Flickr link for generic pictures of AoS chaplains work with Filipino seafarers http://www.flickr.com/photos/apostleshipofthesea/sets/72157637707004244/
